title: Histomorphometric analysis of a rat bladder after electrical stimulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to analyze the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) of the pelvic floor on the bladder of rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty rats were studied and divided into the following groups: GI (control group) - did not receive ES, GII (placebo) - did not receive ES but had an electrode inserted into the vagina; GIII - underwent six sessions of ES of the pelvic floor and GIV - rats that underwent 12 sessions of ES. Subsequently, the bladder was removed and the epithelium, muscle and blood vessels were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The muscle wall in GIV had increased thickness when compared to other groups. Further, the number of blood vessels was similar in GIII and GIV, which was higher than that found in GI and GII. Finally, there was an increase in the relative percentage of muscle fibers in relation to collagen for GIV compared to GI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 12 sessions of ES in rats the muscle layer, the number of blood vessels and the relative percentage of muscle fibers were increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, EPM, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP.
authors.forename: Gisela Rosa
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Emerson de
authors.initials: Ed
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Edmund Chada
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Baracat
authors.forename: Manoel de Jesus
authors.initials: Mde J
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Marair Gracio Ferreira
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sartoria
authors.forename: Manuel João Batista Castello
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Girão
authors.forename: Rodrigo Aquino
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*